AP Bio Properties of Water

Front

What is cohesion in the context of water properties?

Back

Cohesion refers to the attraction between water molecules due to hydrogen bonding, which allows water to form droplets and contributes to surface tension.

Front

What is adhesion in the context of water properties?

Back

Adhesion is the attraction between water molecules and other substances, which allows water to climb up plant roots and stems through capillary action.

Front

Define specific heat and its significance in water.

Back

Specific heat is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance. Water has a high specific heat, which helps regulate temperature in environments.

Front

What is heat capacity?

Back

Heat capacity is the total amount of heat energy required to change the temperature of a substance. Water's high heat capacity helps stabilize temperatures in aquatic ecosystems.

Front

Explain why water expands when it freezes.

Back

Water expands when it freezes because the hydrogen bonds arrange the molecules in a hexagonal lattice structure, making ice less dense than liquid water.

Front

What is surface tension?

Back

Surface tension is the cohesive force at the surface of a liquid that makes it behave like a stretched elastic membrane, allowing small objects to float.

Front

How does water's polarity affect its properties?

Back

Water's polarity allows it to dissolve many substances, making it an excellent solvent, and contributes to its unique properties like cohesion and adhesion.

Front

What role does water play in temperature regulation for organisms?

Back

Water's high specific heat allows it to absorb and release heat slowly, helping to maintain stable temperatures for organisms in aquatic environments.

Front

Why is ice less dense than liquid water?

Back

Ice is less dense than liquid water because the molecular structure of ice creates more space between molecules compared to liquid water.

Front

What is the significance of water as a solvent?

Back

Water's ability to dissolve many ionic and polar substances makes it essential for biological processes, including nutrient transport and chemical reactions.